Morgan hoping for Hilton, Gibson chats

Piers Morgan has revealed that Paris Hilton and Mel Gibson are on his interview wishlist for his new CNN show.

Morgan kicks off his program next week with interview guests Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Howard Stern, Condoleezza Rice and Ricky Gervais.

Speaking to Time about who else he wants booked, Morgan said: "I would like to book anyone who has something interesting and fascinating to say. If Paris Hilton goes to jail [again], I'd love to interview her about that experience.

"Nelson Mandela, of course, and I'd love to sit down with President Obama ahead of the next election - and even Mel Gibson.

"To me, it's a mixture of keeping it unpredictable, but also relevant and newsworthy, with interviews with major figures in everything from politics to royalty to sport and celebrities."

Morgan also spoke about his firing from the Daily Mirror in 2004 over the publication of allegedly doctored photographs of British soldiers.

"I stand completely by what the Mirror published," he said. "I've never apologized for it. As for the veracity of this particular set of pictures, it remains unanswered. I've never seen any hard evidence that they are fakes."

Piers Morgan Tonight will premiere on CNN January 17 at 9pm ET and on CNN International on January 18 at 8pm GMT.